"Reggie Bush said he sent a text message on Tuesday night to some of his Miami Dolphins teammates. He sent the message to some of the skill-position players, receivers and running backs who have the ability to change games, and maybe to change the fortunes of the winless Dolphins.

"We've got to step up," Bush said Wednesday, reciting his message. "We've got to start to make plays. And when our number's called, we've got to make those plays. We've got to make those catches in the end zone. We've got to get those 4 yards per run from the running back …

"We've got to do all those things that we get paid to do."

When the Dolphins acquired Bush in a late July trade with the New Orleans Saints, they gave him a two-year contract extension worth a reported $9.7 million. Bush was the team's marquee offseason addition, a player who was supposed to provide a spark, and versatility, to the offense.

Three games into the season, though, Bush's role has become unclear. Is he a featured back, as he desired to be? Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said earlier this week that Bush remains the Dolphins' No. 1 back. The numbers suggest otherwise. Bush is averaging 2.9 yards per carry and has gained just 80 yards rushing."